Maiko Bradley

Maiko Laura Hirata Bradley, of West Plains, MO, at 23 years old died unexpectedly from an unknown cause on August 4, 2021. The family is shocked and deeply saddened by her sudden death. She was born on December 31, 1997 in Bethesda, Maryland as the youngest in the family. Maiko grew up half her life in Springfield, MO and then moved to West Plains, MO where she graduated from Ozark Horizon School in 2018. Anyone who knew Maiko would know she is an affectionate, sweet young lady with a feisty personality. She particularly enjoyed music, dancing, making arts and crafts, eating Japanese snacks and giving nose kisses to her friends, support staff and family. She loved coffee and the simple things in life, like a cozy blanket and watching cartoons. Maiko reminded people around her that it is important to slow down and enjoy the peaceful moments life gives us. Though non-verbal, this did not stop her from other methods of communication, such as sign language. Amazingly, Maiko in her early twenties was able to develop enough strength in her vocal cords to quietly speak a couple words. A few weeks before her passing, Maiko quietly whispered, “bye bye” and waved to her family, however this was not meant to foreshadow her untimely death. She was loved by many and made friends wherever she went. Maiko is now laughing and talking in heaven, fully healed, with her paternal grandparents James and Clara Bradley, as well as her maternal grandfather Hiroyuki. Maiko is survived by her father, James Bradley; her mother, Kumiko Bradley; and her older sister Yumeko Bradley; and a few cousins in both the US and Japan. A memorial service will be held at The Chapel in Thomasville, MO on Saturday August 14 at 11:00 AM. The chapel itself does not have an exact address, however it is behind the River Resorts (77 HC3, Hwy 99, Thomasville, MO 65438). Visitors en route will need to cross a bridge, then see the chapel as the second building on the left. The family asks that everyone attending to wear a mask. Since the official color for autism is blue, wearing blue or a hint of blue is encouraged (not required). Contributions in memory of Maiko may be made to Autism Research Institut